Various topics: bike cover, weird sound from tank, brake lit

[GS_Twynne500]

Hey all,

Unfortunately because I live in an apartment complex I don't have a garage.  It will be snowing soon here in Ohio, so I was wondering:  1) Anyone nearby want to rent part of their space in their garage for a small stipend?   Or, more likely: 2) What's the best all-weather outdoor, protecting, bike cover I can get for the money?  I hope to ride as long as I can but my bike gets slippery even in the rain (cold tires make for less traction too).

This summer, every so often, my bike's been making a clink-clink-clink sound and it seems like it comes from directly under the gas tank (almost like somethings pinging in the gas tank).  It will make one or two "clinks" and then I won't hear it again for a while.  It doesn't seem to affect how the motor is running but I'm getting worried about funny sounds.  Anyone have any ideas of what it might be???  Also, is it normal for a not-yet-warmed up engine to react this way:  when starting down the street I'll roll the throttle back like you would starting out except that the bike has like a one-second delay.  Roll back the throttle, nothing happens then all of a sudden waaaahhhhh, it takes off all of a sudden like the throttle suddenly kicked in.  Any thoughts?

Finally my foot brake is not activating my brake light.  Any common problems/fixes with these?

Thanks in advance for all the comments

[callmelenny]

Hey all,

[red removed to spare readers]
This summer, every so often, my bike's been making a clink-clink-clink sound and it seems like it comes from directly under the gas tank (almost like somethings pinging in the gas tank).  It will make one or two "clinks" and then I won't hear it again for a while.  It doesn't seem to affect how the motor is running but I'm getting worried about funny sounds.  Anyone have any ideas of what it might be???  Also, is it normal for a not-yet-warmed up engine to react this way:  when starting down the street I'll roll the throttle back like you would starting out except that the bike has like a one-second delay.  Roll back the throttle, nothing happens then all of a sudden waaaahhhhh, it takes off all of a sudden like the throttle suddenly kicked in.  Any thoughts?

Finally my foot brake is not activating my brake light.  Any common problems/fixes with these?

Thanks in advance for all the comments

First of all that red makes my eyes bleed, use it sparingly.

With the tank noise, have you removed it yet? The tank fits against a rubber pad on most bikes that is supposed to cut down on vibration. Mine often slips a little and starts vibrating against the frame at certain  RPMs. I guess a clinking sound could also be pressure changes due to slow venting of the tank, not sure.

The all knowing "Search" reveals a thread re: brake lights:
http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12722&highlight=brake+light+wiring

As far as the throttle issue. Are you riding with the choke still on? On cold days I have leave about half choke for few miles. The stock GS is pretty lean which might explain the behavior.

[scratch]

Cold tires - what pressures are you running? Since during winter riding the tires don't usually get warm enough to expand the air inside, it has been a common practice to add more air to the tire to expand it to its optimum size or shape.

Clinking - have you checked the chain slack?

There is a black plastic nut around a switch behind the heel plate, that if you rotate clockwise, will eventually activate the brake light; you may have to remove the three bolts to get to it; I believe it's 14mm.